Posts Tagged With: Eagle Palm

This weekend I sat with a Scout and talked with him. It was a Scoutmaster conference, but unlike other Scoutmaster conferences that I have done, this was a first. It was the first time I sat with a Scout for Eagle Palms.
The conference, like most of my conferences was relaxed and a great conversation. Now, some may call it favoritism, but every Scoutmaster has those Scouts that seem to part of the conversation all the time. Those Scouts that have the ability to carry on a good conversation and love to learn from discussion with us. This is one of those Scouts. His Eagle Scoutmaster conference lasted the better part of three hours. We talked about everything.
Saturday while having breakfast was no exception. A two hour conversation that went from Leadership to College and then to some real philosophical reasoning as to why he earned the Eagle Palm.
It was one of those talks where you listen and watch as this young man tells you why Scouting works. Not in those words, but you hear it.
Let me share with you the moment that, after about an hour and half, the discussion came full circle and we had that example.
The subject of our trip to Philmont came up during the conference and the experience we had there. He shared with me that Philmont was where he learned that Scouting is not about the awards and recognition, it is about becoming someone that is a good team member, being part of something great than themselves, and someone that pushes themselves to greater things. Philmont showed him the journey. Then I asked him, well why earn the Palms? You already are an Eagle Scout, why are the Palms important?
He shared with me that when he crossed over and became a Boy Scout, his goal was to be an Eagle Scout and earn as many merit badges as he could. He wanted to advance, camp, and be an Eagle Scout.
Then, after he earned his First Class, then Star, he became a leader in the Troop. Then he earned Life and went to the National Jamboree. His goal to be Life before we left for Jambo, and he did. That was in 2010. When he came back from Jamboree he set his sights on earning his Eagle award. Leadership roles became for important though in our Troop and so as he worked his way to Eagle, he found more rewards in teaching and leading and seeking new adventure. Finally in December of 2013 we presented his Eagle award. One of the things that he said at his Eagle Court of Honor was that he was glad that he earned it at age 17 so he has another year to be with the Troop and be an example and leader. His is now a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.
The reason that he wanted to earn the Eagle palm was to show the Scouts in our Troop that it can be done. He already has enough merit badges for three palms, but he has to wait for time in service and leadership. So it’s not about earning more, it’s about being a Model of expected behavior, “Just like you teach us” he said.
You see for this Scout he learned early on that Scouting is not about the badges, it’s about the journey. It’s about learning to lead, it’s about adventure and experiences, and it’s about developing those skills that will take him further in life.
He will be heading to college next year and is already looking at ways that he can help the Troop’s Scouts to be better when he’s is gone. He loves Scouting and wants to give back.
By the way.
He is a member of Student Government, he is a three sport athlete in high school, been to Boys State and a great all around young man.
We both had an Ah Ha moment the other day.
This is why I am a Scoutmaster.Have a Great Scouting Day!

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